The change we wish to see in the world for 2022
For the past nearly decade, I’ve asked friends, colleagues, politicos and celebs to share their New Year’s resolutions with me and my readers. After the year we’ve had, I’m especially grateful to get just a glimpse into their fragile psyches and guarded optimism as we all head warily into 2022. When it feels like the world is spinning out of control, aiming at the things we can control — unlike, say, world peace — is a good idea. As for me, I plan to spend 2022 normalizing discussions around anxiety, and starting more sentences with “My therapist says...”
Gloria Borger, CNN’s chief political analyst: “I’d like to feel safe hugging grandchildren, friends and colleagues. I’d like to wake up feeling unrestricted. And I’d like good news in D.C. The shorter version: peace on earth, bipartisanship in Washington and unmasked hugs with my grandchildren. Will accept one out of three.”
Monica Lewinsky, anti-bullying activist: “My new year’s ritual is to make a gratitude list from the year we’re leaving and wishes for myself and those in my world for the new one. Somewhere on my list will be the hope that my inner critic is 10% quieter.”
Brad Thor, New York Times bestselling author: “I’m tired ... of everything. Exhausted even. I lost my mom this year, a woman who was like my second mother, and a dear friend. I watched other relationships, ones that I have worked so hard to preserve, dissolve because of ridiculous conspiracy theories and a desire to blame others for the ills in their lives. I have seen the ravages of depression and anxiety on those I care deeply about. As we go into 2022, my sincerest hope is that people who are hurting will get the love, help and support they need — and that I can be a conduit for that love, help and support for as many people as possible.”
Andrew Yang, Forward Party founder: “Make it easier for independents to vote for someone they’re excited about via nonpartisan open primaries. Put the Forward Party on the map.”
Christine Quinn, president and CEO of WIN: “In 2022 I want to significantly reduce the number of homeless children living in shelters in NYC. I also want to increase the number of homeless and formerly homeless moms who are working in good jobs.”
Kevin Baron, executive editor of Defense One: “I hope to see Paris again. To spend more time with my dad. Oh, and to watch the partisan propagandists of information warfare fail, one by one.”
Omar Jimenez, CNN correspondent: “I’ve always found life too unpredictable for specific goals, so all I push for is growth ... and to be in a Batman movie.”
Fred Guttenberg, Parkland father and gun-safety activist: “For 2022, I want to help America to understand that the threat to our democracy and guns are linked. My goal is to make defense of democracy and gun safety the voting issue of 2022. I will work to elect candidates who support gun safety because they are also the same candidates who support democracy.”
Rep. Adam Kinzinger: “I resolve to double down on truth and exposing the tricks used to scam people.”
Molly Jong-Fast, podcaster: “My New Year’s resolution is to try and spend as much time as possible with my mom. Many of her friends and peers have died and it’s clear that I don’t have forever with her.”
Donnie Wahlberg, “Blue Bloods”: “My goal for 2022 is simply to spread love. Sounds generic but to truly spread love (without condition) requires humility, empathy and zero expectations of receiving anything in return.”
Paul Stanley, Kiss: “I want to make sure I don’t sweat the small stuff as life grows shorter and time more precious. I want to use my days as wisely as I can, enjoy all the luxuries I’ve been able to give myself while never forgetting that ultimately it’s all about friends and family.”
Former Rep. Steve Israel: “We’re all sucked into a polarized, frenetic political environment, and the midterm elections will make it even worse. So I’m going to escape by spending more time reading history (breaking news: we survived some pretty deep challenges before) and transcending today’s political insanity.”
Tom Nichols, contributing writer, The Atlantic: “My hope for 2022 is that it becomes something we need and haven’t seen in a long time: An unremarkable, calm year where ordinary Americans live their lives. I know this is unlikely, but that’s also my plan for my own life, God willing.”
Chely Wright, LGBTQ activist: “My goal for 2022 is to focus more of my resources and energy to support NGOs doing important work on behalf of girls, women and the economically disenfranchised.”
Henry Winkler, actor: “Retain sanity in order to pass it on to our country.”